Panera gives $25,000 to Hoag foundation

Panera Bread donated $25,000 to the Hoag Hospital Foundation in support of the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center, the hospital announced Tuesday in a news release.

This is the second year that the restaurant and bakery chain has helped raise money for Hoag through its Community Breadbox program, the release said.

About a dozen Orange County Panera locations participated in the program, which gives customers and employees the opportunity to donate to local organizations.

The Allen Diabetes Center, in Newport Beach, helps patients manage diabetes through a variety of programs, including one designed for pregnant women with the disease and another tailored to young adults who have Type 1 diabetes.

“I have always been impressed with the healthy and diabetes-friendly menu at Panera Bread,” said Dr. Daniel Nadeau, the center’s program director, “and this gift once again reflects a remarkable sensitivity to the needs of the community.”

—Jill Cowan

Twitter: @JillCowan